Tomorrow's global genetics

Tomorrow’s global genetics collected here today

In a New Zealand first, three promising sires of the future from CRV’s European Holstein-Friesian programme underwent semen collection this week at CRV AmBreed’s EU-approved collection facility in the Waikato.

Our EU Collection Centre

These bulls - born, raised and collected thousands of kilometres away from their European contemporaries – are part of a programme with sister company CRV NW Europe that started two years ago with the importation of sexed embryos from NW Europe’s elite breeding programme.  In this time, 70 bull calves have been born.  These have been genotyped before genomic selection technology is used to select the very best for semen production in New Zealand and progeny testing in Europe.

The New Zealand based European bulls will receive a proof in three years when their daughters start milking on dairy farms in The Netherlands and Belgium.  These bulls are sought after around the world and stand-out sires could be sold here as part of CRV AmBreed’s Import Selection, popular with high output producers and breeders.

CRV AmBreed’s EU facility was accredited in December 2008 and represents just the latest in a long line of New Zealand investments that allow the organisation to bring the best products and technologies to New Zealand farmers.  CRV AmBreed’s genetics manager, Andy Medley says that the facilities are world class.  “CRV AmBreed has invested millions of dollars to serve both the New Zealand and international markets,” he says.  “It is very satisfying to see the contribution we are making to genetic gain in dairy cattle – here and overseas.”

CRV AmBreed’s managing director, Jos Koopman, says that New Zealand’s isolated and relatively disease-free status along with cost-effective rearing and housing systems make it an ideal place for these elite European sires.   “CRV is a worldwide expert in dairy genetics,” Mr Koopman says.  “A big part of that is consistency and reliability of supply.  Raising and collecting NW European bulls here means that risk is minimised and the continual supply of top quality genetics to farmers around the world is assured.  This programme also makes excellent use of our existing facilities creating added efficiencies that will allow us to continue to bring the best New Zealand and overseas genetics and services to our kiwi farmers at a great price.”